2016 NCAA® Division III Softball Regional Website

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- A two run homer by senior Mary Rankin and a solo shot by freshman Julie Josten gave the Illinois Wesleyan softball team a 3-1 win over Washington U. in the NCAA Division III Softball Regional at IWU Softball Field in Bloomington, Ill., on Saturday, May 14.

The Titans, 32-10, will play DePauw (31-17) at 12 p.m. Sunday and would have to win only one of two potential games to earn the Regional championship. The Tigers dispatched both Hanover (2-0) and Washington U. (5-2) on Saturday afternoon.

The Titans, who left 10 runners on base, trailed 1-0 going into the top of the seventh when senior shortstop Sam Gudat led off and was hit by a pitch. Rankin worked the count to 3-2 before smacking her home run over the left centerfield fence. After senior catcher Danielle Smith flied out to deep left field, Taylor Marvin struck out before Josten drilled a line drive home run to centerfield.

Sophomore Mackenzie Marquis (16-5) went the distance for IWU in the circle, allowing just two hits and one unearned run while striking out four and walking seven hitters.

Washington U. (35-11) saw their senior Annie Pitkin (21-6) pitch 6 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.